Oumou Camara
About My Study Abroad Program
Major/Minor: Psychology with a minor in Health and Society (Pre-PA)
Program: UNC Neuroscience in London
Location: London, England, UK
Email: oumoac@unc.edu
Term: Summer 2024
Why did you choose to study abroad and how did you select your program?
I chose to study abroad initially to fulfill my high impact and cognitive course requirements needed for the Psychology (B.S.) major. I talked to friends who previously studied abroad that gave me insight on how much of a beneficial and eye-opening experience it is. It was almost a no brainer seeing how good of a reputation Dr. Chanon had and it was honestly extremely enjoyable being in her class.
What did you learn about yourself?
I learned how I deal with stressful situations. When flying to London from Charlotte, my carry on had to be checked in at the gate due to no overhead space. Unfortunately, that was the last time I seen that bag considering that it was lost by the airline and now that we are nearing 50 days without it, I’m not sure if I’ll ever see it again. Being in a completely different country with one pair of shoes, no medicine, and a max of maybe 10 outfits was extremely distressing and it was always a thought in the back of my mind. However, I found hat my first thought is to freak out and stress - which is something I did do the first 10-15 days, however, I realized that attaching that much significance to materialistic items and unhealthy and it made me more grateful for the experience and motivated me to persevere and find a lesson in every negative experience.
What is one of your favorite memories from your program?
One of my memories is the tea cruise we did, it was gorgeous and really nice seeing that it was the last time we’d all see each other and be together as a cohort in London. It was a moment I hold dear to my heart and will always cherish.
What advice do you have for future study abroad students?
Going anywhere across the world will have different cultural norms than what we are typically used to, whether they are slight or drastic. Having an open mind and adjusting to the norms allows for such amazing experiences which can be beneficial to personal growth. Don’t be afraid to try new things and go out of your comfort zone.
How do you identify?
Student of color, First Generation College Student, Covenant Scholars, $5,000 Summer Study Abroad Fellowship Recipient
Could you share any experiences where your identity played a role in your time abroad?
I often found myself not experiencing explicit racism but rather slight micro aggressions and fetishization.
Memories
